The Power of Using Social Media for Local Business

I’m in the process of relocating. I’m not moving that far, about 50 miles across the Metroplex from Dallas to Fort Worth, Texas. As is always the case with moving, it is less about the distance and more about ensuring everything makes the journey.

We have three cats, two cars, and a two-bedroom home with more books than just about anything else in the house (I’m a reader, not just a writer). My girlfriend and I decided that this time around we would use a professional moving company.

I had called a couple of local companies and received quotes that were all in the same range. Then out of the blue and with no prompting a local moving company “tweeted” me. They congratulated me on my move, asked where exactly I was moving to, and offered to provide a quote.

I told them where I was moving to, and they sent me their phone number and a link to their free quote page. I decided I had nothing to lose. I filled out the form and the next day someone from the company called me. We went through the usual questions and he gave me a very competitive quote, including a 10% discount for being a Twitter customer.

I had never heard of the company, I did my research and found they had a good reputation locally so I chose to give them the business. Why? Well the deciding factor was that they had been proactive; they are obviously monitoring the Twitter stream for people who are moving in the Dallas area so they cab reach out to them to offer assistance.

I want to support local business, this just made it a lot easier to do so. What is really compelling about this whole episode is that not only is the company using social media in a way that generates business, but that they are efficient and have a great customer experience when you actually speak to them. Remember, social media will only take you so far but in the end what really counts is the experience you provide the customer.

With the move approaching rapidly, it is nice to know that we have the major detail crossed off the list. Of course now I have to see if the company can execute the move as well as they executed their social media, but that is a story for another time.

Simon is CEO of IncSlingers, and is an author, blogger, writer and entrepreneur. His book on Social Location Marketing was published by QUE, a division of Pearson publications in February 2011. Simon has been published online by Mashable, Read Write Web and others.

3 comments

I had a similar things happen to me recently. I was well overdue for an oil change and I tweeted about it. I had been looking various options, and one company tweeted me. I looked them up and they are at a convenient location and had competitive rate, so I ended up going to them. Makes the decision making so much easier.